Top for vehicles and the like



Nov. 13,1923.

F. K. LEWIS TOP FOR VEHICLES AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 20, 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Iv VENTOK/ 765/ K. Lew/6 3y QLW 7 TTOAZ/VEVQ Nov. 13-, 1923. 1,4174%? F. K. LEWIS TOP FOR VEHICLES AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 20, 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fiVE/w'a; 'fFec/ K. Lew/6 k 0Mk$ J /TTOENEyQS.

Patented Nov. 13, i923.

FRED K. LEWIS, OF ASHTABULA, OHIO.

TOP FOB VEHICLES AND THE LIKE.

Application filed January 20, 1919. Serial No. 271,992.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, F1131) K. Lnwrs, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Ashtabula, county of Ashtabula, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Tops for Vehicles and the like, of which the fOllOWiIlg is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best node in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

The present invention may be regarded as constituting an improvement in the topwhich forms the subject matter of my copending application filed October 1, 1918, Serial No. 256,442. As in the case of the construction disclosed in such companion application, the present improred top is of the so-called one man type, the extreme forward or outrigger bow, as it is called, being carried by means of swinging arms pivotally attached to the main bow at some distance from the point of pivotal attachment of the latter to the vehicle body. Such arms, with such outrigger bow extending substantially horizontally in the open position of the top, together constitute what may be termed an articulated auxiliary how.

The object of the present invention is to provide a structure of the character in question, which may be supported from a single rearwardly inclining main bow, so that when the top is extended the entire tonneau space forwardly of such main how will be clearof any obstruction, even where such tonneau is a two-seated one. In order that a single main bow may suffice, it is necessary that additional supplemental bows. be incorporated in the outrigger structure, and the present invention accordingly more specifically consists of an adaptation in the construction disclosed in my aforesaid application, consisting in the mounting of two, instead of just one supplemental bow, on the swinging arms that carryv the outrigger bow proper. In order to properly correlate the movement of the several bows in folding and unfolding the top, suitable connecting means require to be provided, all as will be hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting,

several of the various which the principle of used.

however, but mechanical forms 1n the invention may be In said annexed drawings 1- Fig. l is a side elevational view supporting of a top structure embodying my present improvements, such top being shown as mounted on an automobile body or tonneau of conventional form; Fig. 2 is a similar side elevational view, but showing such supporting structure in partially collapsed or folded condition; Fig.

3 is a broken plan view, with parts in section, of the structure in question, the plane of the section being whether motor-boat or upon its longitudinal the top isused on automobile,

otherwise, and,

depending extent, a smaller or larger number of bows, in addition to the outrigger structure of be utilized. the term bow to designate not present interest, may

It will also be understood that is used herein inclusively, merely the wooden bow proper, but also the metallic sockets carrymg the same, these parts,

when regarded in side elevation, constituting the equivalent of the so-called sticks as they are called in the old wooden type of supporting frame. It is accordingly a matter of convenience to refer to the parts in the singular, as though the structure lay all in a single vertical plane,

since the parts of interest do actually lie in such a plane.

As prev1ously 1 is designed indicated the top covering to be entirely supported through an appropriate outrigger structure from a single main bow which is of substantial of the weight it is thu is obviously supported the body at the point ner, so that it may be laid .J. The latter, construction, in view s required to sustain, upon or attached to 3 in the usual mandown and supported in a substantially horizontal plane (indicated in dotted outline in Fig. 2) when the top is not in use.

Normally, in the extended or open condition of the top, said main how 2 inclines re arwardly at an angle of approximately forty-five degrees to the horizontal, being held from rising higher by the top covering, or rather by special straps (not shown) or extensions of the longitudinal strainers which, as is well known, are used to connect the bows together and provide supporting means for the top covering intermediately between said bows. For the purpose in hand such straps or strainers may be regarded as a part of the covering material.

As already indicated, the portion of the structure of present interest is the frame which extends forwardly from such main bow 2 and serves to support substantially the whole top covering 1. This structure, as likewise already indicated, comprises an articulated auxiliary bow, or, as it is some times called, outrigger bow 6, the latter term referring more particularly to the outer portion or bow '7 proper, which is secured to the main bow 2 by means of an arm 8 (one on each side of course) pivotally attached to said main bow and to the rear ends of such outrigger bow, and so constituting the inner portion of said articulated auxiliary bow. The point of attachment of arm 8 to the main bow is preferably in line with, or just above, the side edge of the cover so as to be hidden by the latter, and the joint 9 between said arm and the outrigger bow is a rule joint disposed so as to prevent further bending of the arm in question, when extended in horizontal fashion as in the open condition of the top.

Pivotally attached to arm 8 are two supplemental bows 10 and 11, their points of pivotal attachment being so spaced, and

their angular disposition in the open condition of the top being so adjusted, by means presently to be described, as to support the top covering 1 at suitable spaced intervals between main bow 2 and outrigger bow 7, as shown in Fig. 1. Several modified means, all more or less similar in principle of operation, are shown for operatively connecting together the main bow, outrigger bow and these two supplemental bows 10 and 11, whereby not only are the latter thus properly disposed in the open condition of the top, but they-are also caused to fold up in unison with the movement of the outrigger bow when the latter is dropped and swung backwardly towards the main bow 2. These forms are similar in that they all include as an element an articulated link or brace, the rear end of which is pivotally connected to main how 2 above the point of attachment of swinging arm 8 thereto, preferably through the medium of a bracket 12 firmly attached to the front face of said bow, the upper portionof such bracket lying clear of the bow so as correspondingly to shift forwardly the point of attachment of the link; while the front end of such arconnecting the main and outri ger bows to.

gether, comprises an intermediate, relatively short, link 13 and two longer links 1 1 and 15, said intermediate link being pivotally at tached to yet another link 16 that serves to pivotally connect together the two supplemental bows 10 and 11. The result, accordingly, is not only to sustain these supplemental bows in desired position when the top is open or extended, but also to cause them to fold in unison when the joint 9 is depressed so as to permit 'the outrigger bow 7 to be swung back towards the main bow 2. In such folding, as well as in the unfolding operation, the intermediate link 13 serves as an equalizer bar, which permits not only of a certain amount of adjustment in the position of the bows 10 and 11 in the original assembly or setting up of the top, but also takes care of any lack of absolute parallelism in the movements of the several bows composing the outrigger structure when the latter is being collapsed or folded up.' 7

The modification illustrated in Fig. a relates wholly to the manner in which the several bows are linked together, so other parts of the top are not illustrated. More over, it has been deemed sufficient to show the links and bows in diagrammatic outline only. In this modification the intermediate short link or equalizer bar 20, that, together with two longer bars 21 and 22, constitutes the articulated link or brace connecting the main bow' 2 withthe' outrigger bow 7, is pivotally attached directly to one of the supplemental bows, e. g. supplemental how 10. The link or bar 23 that connects this with the other supplemental how 10, is not directly connected with the articulated link or brace at all. The operation, however, will obviously be the same, both in the plemental bows, and an intermediate link 27 connectingthe adjacent ends of said equalizer bars. Relatively longer links 28 and 29 serve to connect the equalizer bars respectively with main bow 2 and outrigger bow f7, just as in the case of the single GQUZLlZZQI bar utilized in the first described construction. Here again the mode of opint/4,04

eration, both in folding and unfolding the top, is substantially the same as that previously described.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1. In a top for vehicles and the like, the combination of a main bow; a two-part articulated auxiliary bow having its rear portion pivotally connected to said main bow; a plurality of supplemental bows carried by such rear portion of said auxiliary bow; and plural links connecting said main bow and the outer portion of said auxiliary bow, said links being directly pivotally connected together and also independently flexibly connected with said supplemental bows.

2. In a top for vehicles and the like, the combination of a main how; a two-part articulated auxiliary bow having its rear portion pivotally connected to said main bow; a plurality of supplemental bows carried by such rear nortion of said auxiliary bow; and three links connecting said main bow and the outer portion of said auxiliary bow, said links being directly pivotally connected together and also independently flexibly connected with said supplemental bows.

3. In a top for vehicles and the like, the combination of a main bow; a two-part articulated auxiliary bow having its rear portion pivotally connected to said main bow; two supplemental bows pivotally attached to such rear portion of said auxiliary bow; a'link connecting said supplemental bows; and means opcratively connectingsaid main bow with the outer portion of said auxiliary bow, said means being also operatively connected with said link.

4. In a top for vehicles and the like, the combination of a main bow; a two-part articulated auxiliary bow having its rear portion pivotally connected to said main how; two supplemental bow pivotally attached to such rear portion of said auxiliary bow; a link connecting said supplemental bows; and plural links connecting said main bow and the outer portion of said auxiliary bow, said links being directly pivotally connected together and also operatively connected with said first-named link.

5. In a top for vehicles and the like, the combination of a main bow; a two-part articulated auxiliarv bow having its rear portion pivotally connected to said main bow; two supplemental bows pivotally attached to such rear portion of said auxiliary bow; a link connecting said supplemental bows; and three links directly pivotally connected together, the intermediate link being pivotally attached to said first-named link and the other two links being respectively attached to said main bow and to the outer portion of said auxiliary bow.

6. In a top for vehicles and the like, the combination of a main bow; a two-part articulated auxiliary bow having its rear portion pivotally connected to said main bow; two supplemental bows pivotally attached to such rear portion of said auxiliary bow; a link connecting said supplemental bows; and three links directly pivotally connected together, the intermediate link being shorter than the other two and pivotally attached to said first-named link and such other links being respectively attached to said main bow and to the outer portion of said auxiliary bow.

Signed by me, 17th day of January, 1919.

' FRED K. LEWIS. 

